Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-11-17
Representatives from all Over
the Country
Attend the First Annual Meet Of the Ra-
tiOnal Fishery Association.
Speeches Made by Prominent MenUp-
on the Important Subjects Before
the Body.
NEW YoRK Nov Ii

Hf -Ndtlblthl EI5ltfN ASSOCIATION met III
New York today it, first ANIMAL meeting
Representatives from all over the country
were present.
The object of the meeting Is To adopt
means for a proper representation of the
fishery interests of the United States in all
matters pertaining to national and state legis-
lation. Among those present were President
Babson of Gloucester, Luther Maddocks,
Maine X. c. Green, Eastport Maine and \.
b. College, Lamoine, Maine
Mr.. Babson called the meeting to order
and delivered an address upon the wrongs
suffered by American fishermen. He
claimed the fishermen of the United States
had no protection while in foreign countries.
He was opposed to the action taken on the
fishery question by the government. CONNER
cial intercourse was farce. American fisher
men, he said, did not want the inshore fisher
les of Canada. All they desired was the
right to buy bait and not be imposed upon.
Foreign fishermen were given rights i'll this
country which our fishermen were not given
in foreign countries
American markets are open to all fisher
men of the world, and all the speaker asked
was to have American rights looked after
properly. When Canada has our market
open her fishing fleet rapidly increases while
ours decreases. Reciprocity is not an axiom
of the American system of government and
reciprocity treaties would impair our com
merCe.
Mr.. Babson declared that it was the object
of the tory government to give Canadian
fishermen free markets in the United States
and drive the Americans entirely out of the
Atlantic fisheries, There should be recp-
rocity in that. The speaker asserted that
the capital invested in the business in Massa-
chusetts alone was Sl4 900, 600 and this yields
an annual income of over $500, 900. He was
not in favor of the abolition of the net and
trap system because if it were done away
with a large industry would be destroyed,
He thought that if any legislation was en-
acted it should be for the protection of
American fishermen. Canada should be let
severely alone.
Mr. Maddocks of Maine, the canvassing
agent of the association, stated that the fish
crmcn were thoroughly organized all along
the Atlantic coast. ON the lakes, where all
the dealers had joined the association. the
trade was in the hands of nine companies
The Canadians. he said. come to our mark
cts for bait while American fishermen are re-
fused entrance for bait in Canadian waters
The Canadians are running the trade. They
none of our taxes. The Canadian govern
ment seems to consider that We are incapable
of managing our own industries. Men who
fish for fun are trying to legislatc the indus
Try out of existence.
Secretary Wilcox reported that there were
23l firms in the association and that move
ment was on foot to send a fleet of Atlantic
fishermen to the Pacific slope where the trade
has not been deVelOpeh.
Hon. Daniel r. Church of Rhode Island,
made a speech inwhich he said the Menha-
den business was almost ruined
Treasurer Pew, of Gloucester, spoke
against commercial union with Canada ON
the ground that it would destroy the fishing
industry.
The following officers were elected; Pres
ident. +. j. Babson, Gloucester, Mass; LIST
vice president ID. T. Church, Tiverton, h.
l. "a vice president, J. T. McIntire; secre-
tary, Luther Maddox, Boothbay, Me. treas
urer, j. F. Pugh.
The following resolutions were unanimous
ly adopted:
Whereas The fishing industries of the
United States are largely the foundation of
the marine power of the government upon
which it must depend for defense upon the
ocean i'll time of war.
Whereas As a producing interest ii is en-
titled to equal protection with the other pro
ducing interests of tl1e country, therefore
Resolved That this association respect
fully ask the national government that such
action and legislation as shall place the
American fisheries upon national basis,
never again to be made matter of bargain
or sale to foreign nations, but reserved to
the people of the nited States in the same
manner as that which characterizes the laws
of the coasting trade
Resolved, as the history of the past has
that the fish product is depend
eut directly upon natural causes for supply
and domestic competition and has always been
sufficient to prevent enhanced prices. Also
a feeling of confidence alone il needed to
increase the fishing fleets of the nation
that the supply of fish be fully equal to the
demand, and our national marine power he
increased thereby. aud we ask that our in
dustrv be so protected by duties on foreign
fish as will give to American fishermen our
markets in contradistinCtOn to subsidized
bounty.
Resolved, We ask no privilege, of fishing
in fsreign waters, but demand the same com
mercial rights for our vessels in foreign
ports as foreign vessels have in the ports of
the United States.
The proposition was made to raise money
to aid in opposing hostile legislation by as
sessing every man shipped ON fishing YES
sci 81 This was strongly opposed and
failed
\ resolution to change the headquarters of
the Association from Gloucester TO this city
was adopted